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A grandmother in a green cardigan brushes the thick fur of a large tabby Maine Coon sitting on wooden steps. 32 / 36

Maple Sat Up Straight and Let Nora Brush Her Thick Striped Coat

AI imagemaine coongroomingback steps

The brush glides through Maple's thick fur, and she sits as straight as a statue, ears alert and eyes narrowed in the golden light. Nora brushes her with slow, careful strokes, a small wooden brush in one hand and a patient look on her face. She wears an olive green cable-knit cardigan with her glasses on, her gray hair swept back. The back steps are weathered wood, with a clay pot, a pair of gardening gloves and an open screen door behind them.

Maine Coons have long, silky coats with a dense undercoat, and they need regular grooming. Brushing a few times a week removes loose hair, prevents painful mats and cuts down on the hair a cat swallows while grooming, which means fewer hairballs. Pay special attention to the belly, the armpits and behind the ears, where tangles form first. Use a brush or comb suited to long fur, and keep sessions short and pleasant with a treat afterward. If you find a mat, do not cut it close to the skin. Ask a groomer or your vet. A cat that suddenly stops grooming herself may need a checkup.

Maple closes her eyes for a moment and leans into the brush. Nora smiles, murmuring something soft. Little tufts drift off in the warm air. It is a small chore, done kindly, that gives a cat comfort and a person a reason to sit still for a while. The steps are warm, and nobody has anywhere else to be.

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